Flood warnings renewed across New Orleans area through 4:45 p.m.

The majority of the New Orleans area south and west of Lake Pontchartrain is under new flash flood warnings this afternoon until 4:45 p.m., as clusters of thunderstorms east and west of the lake converge. Both clusters are likely to drop another 1 to 3 inches on areas already soggy from earlier heavy rains. To the east, the flood warning...

The majority of the New Orleans area south and west of Lake Pontchartrain is under new flash flood warnings this afternoon until 4:45 p.m., as clusters of thunderstorms east and west of the lake converge. Both clusters are likely to drop another 1 to 3 inches on areas already soggy from earlier heavy rains.

View full sizeNational Weather ServiceStrong thunderstorms over most of the New Orleans area has prompted a renewal of flash flood warnings.

To the east, the flood warning includes New Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes, as thunderstorms move southwest at 10 mph from Slidell across the lake and into the city.

To the west, a line of thunderstorms extended from 13 miles southeast of Des Allemands through Boutte to Kenner, and was moving southwest at 15 mph.

An area flood advisory also is in effect for St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Livingston and Washington parishes. These warnings include Timberlane, Marrero, Harvey, Avondale, eastern New Orleans, Belle Chasse, and Chalmette to the east; and Metairie, Kenner, Hahnville, Reserve and LaPlace to the west. The advisory includes Covington, Hammond, Amite, Franklinton and Bogalusa.

WeatherBug monitoring stations across the New Orleans area have registered significant rainfall as of 3:20 p.m. today, including 5.45 inches at WWL-TV, 4.29 inches at New Orleans City Hall, 4.25 inches at Marrero Middle School, 3.99 inches at Cathedral Academy in the French Quarter, 2.9 inches at Gretna Middle School, and 1.91 inches at New Orleans International Airport.

View full sizeChris Granger, The Times-PicayuneTourists walk through knee-deep water on Rampart Street during heavy rain on Friday.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause elevated levels on small creeks and streams, and ponding of water in urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Do not drive into areas where the water covers the roadway, as the water depth may be too great to allow your car to cross safely